The Hydra-Sports 3400 CC is certainly a boat you could fall in love with at first sight. We sure did. She has a soft gentle curve to the sheer line that is offset by the rakish angle of the powder-coated tower, and together the combination is nothing short of gorgeous. And for someone who is sick and tired of nothing but white, the red hull was a very welcome sight indeed. It seems the first impression is contagious, for when this boat was shown at the Ft. Lauderdale Show she was scooped up on the spot, and her new owner sat vigil throughout to make sure his precious new boat wouldn’t fall victim to the uncaring coming aboard to gawk. We can’t say we blame him, but we still need to dig a little deeper than looks, so we proceeded to do what we do.
Put this beauty through a full test. The video is ready to roll, so let’s take a look at how Hydra-Sports has done.

Specifications

Hydra-Sports 3400 CC (2011-) Specifications

Length Overall

33' 5''10.2 m

Dry Weight

8,749 lbs. 3,968 kg

Beam

10' 4''3.15 m

Tested Weight

N/A

Draft

24''0.61 m

Fuel Cap

352 gal.1,332 L

Deadrise/Transom

23 deg.

Water Cap

29 gal. 109 L

Max Headroom

N/A

Bridge Clearance

N/A

Prices, features, designs, and equipment are subject to change. Please see your local dealer or visit the builder's website for the latest information available on this boat model.

Engine Options

Hydra-Sports 3400 CC (2011-) Engine options

Std. Power

Not Available

Tested Power

3 x 300-hp Yamaha V6 four-stroke

Opt. Power

Not Available

Hydra-Sports 3400 CC (2011-) Captain's Report

Performance

First things first, let’s take a look at the numbers. With 200 gallons (757 L) of fuel, two persons and test gear, our 3400 CC had a test weight of just over 12,000 lbs. The triple Yamaha 300-hp V6 four-strokes had no trouble cranking us up to a top speed of 54.7 mph. At that speed, we were burning 79.4 gph and getting .69 miles per gallon for a range of 221 miles.

At 3000 rpm we were running at a best cruise of 24.3 mph with a 19.2 gph fuel burn. Now we were getting 1.26 mpg for a range of about 400 statute miles with a 10% reserve.

Power choices range from twin V6’s, twin V8’s, or as in the case of our test boat, triple V6’s.

And Handling

Underway the 3400 CC was very responsive to the helm and possessed a solid feel through all maneuvers. Our test day showed winds at 25-30 kts with solid chop and we had a stable ride, regardless of which direction we headed. Because we had heavy winds and a major tide running, we were not able to get minimum trolling speeds, but we can report that the triple Yamahas did a great job of keeping the turbulence down at idle speed, even with all three in gear.

When taking off, there is a minimal 7-degree bow rise, which isn’t much, but because the bow is so far ahead of the console, and I’m only 5’8" tall, I did lose visibility. Even on plane, the bow was just above the horizon, so my usual complaint with most all Hydra-Sports still holds with this 3400 CC. Please add a step behind the helm for the vertically challenged, and problem solved. I do like that I had no trouble seeing over the console.

Drift fishermen will love this boat, as she presents her whole side to the drift allowing the boat’s entire length to be utilized, and beam seas were no worry on stability, even with the added weight of the tower well above the center of gravity.

Even with the heavy chop, we experienced a surprisingly dry ride, and with the dual control stations, operating from the tower had us feeling like a kid in a candy store. Every time we expected the adverse conditions to have an adverse effect on the 3400 CC we were proven wrong. This was an exceptional handling boat in everything we could throw at it. True to form for Hydra-Sports. She is a solid and stable boat.

Layout

So let’s take a close look at the layout and see what the 3400 CC brings to the table. Starting at the stern, the first notable feature is the flat deck in the engine well. It runs all the way across the transom and you wouldn’t believe how convenient that little feature is when it comes time to work on your engines, or even when removing the engine covers. Three rocket launchers with powder coated bases are just above, and on the back of the transom. Right at the transom door is a fresh-water washdown for quick cleanups when swimming or diving.

At the top of the transom to starboard is a compartment housing a hose bib for the raw water washdown, room to coil a hose, and a small cutting board over a space to store wire leaders, or other items you might need to get to right away. Below is storage for Plano tackle drawers and next to that, a great feature… a pull out “tackle trash” receptacle to keep monofilament from going into the water.

Cockpit

In the center of the transom is a flip-down rumble seat. I liked how the padded bolster lifts to form a comfortable backrest, making this a great seat for riding out to the canyons. Just behind is a hatch covering the fuel manifolds. Below the deck is a standard Hydra-Sports feature, a convenient pump room housing all bilge pumps, livewell pumps, and raw water washdown pumps. I like how the hatch has a channel to direct water to an overboard drain that supplements the oversized scuppers of the self bailing cockpit.

Padded bolsters run 360-degrees around the cockpit. Under the gunwales is lockable rod storage, and down low is a toe rail for hooking your feet under for an extra dose of safety.

Center Stage

The rigging station features a powder coated grab handle mounted on the lid. Under is a cutting board next to a large 50 gallon (189.3L) livewell, painted blue and aerated, with an adjustable water level tube on the right side. At waist level is another grab handle running the full length of the rigging station. The sides house storage drawers.

The helm features three-across seating with drop-down seats that wrap around you for sustained high-speed operation. The boat is operated from the center seat. Dual 12” (30.48 cm) displays lie to either side of the panel with a Yamaha multi-function display in the center. Just below is an autopilot.

To the left of the helm is a removable panel that houses the stereo and three rows of rocker switches. Digital throttle controls are to the right and mounted on a 45-degree angle. A station selection switch lies next to the controls to operate from the lower or tower station. Trim tab controls are to the right. Looking ahead, I noticed a glass windshield, not plastic, so there’s zero distortion, with a wiper/washer.

Under the gunwales, and amidships are pull-out storage bins that Hydra-Sports calls “potato bins.” They’re quite convenient, and serve the dual purpose of allowing access to the underside of the gunwale mounted hardware. There is also dedicated storage for a fire extinguisher.

Inside the console are a head, battery switches, house batteries, a hatch in the bulkhead to access the electronics installation at the helm, a porcelain head with standard overboard pump out, and a stainless steel sink.

Take a Bow

Forward, powder-coated grab handles are recessed below the caprails to prevent snagging on any lines. The optional tower is mounted to the gunwales so you’ll have to pass your rod around the supports if transitioning from one end of the boat to the other. Small tradeoff for the rock solid stability you’ll enjoy when up high in a seaway.

In the deck is a storage compartment housing your reboarding ladder and a recessed bucket holder. In the center of the bow is a Frigid Rigid coffin box that has an option for being refrigerated. On top is an ergonomic lounger that allows you to be reclined when sitting on it as opposed to sitting straight up.

There is additional lockable rod storage under the gunwales at the bow. Another raw water washdown is to starboard. Dual fishboxes lie under the elevated foredeck that easily converts to a casting deck by simply leaving the sunpads, which your wife made you buy, in the truck. Fully forward are a stainless windlass with accessible rope locker beneath, and a separate storage compartment for a secondary anchor and line.

Without a doubt, this is not only one of the best looking CC boats we’ve seen, but as is consistent with Hydra-Sports, one of the best equipped boats as well. True, our test boat had a lot of options included, but being able to customize your 3400 CC is the hallmark of a lot of sales.

Hydra-Sports 3400 CC (2011-) Test Result Highlights

Best cruise for the Hydra-Sports 3400 CC (2011-) is 24.3 mph (39.1 kph), and the boat gets 1.26 miles per gallon (mpg) or 0.54 kilometers per liter (kpl), giving the boat a cruising range of 406 miles (653.39 kilometers).

Standard and Optional Equipment

Hydra-Sports 3400 CC (2011-) Standard and Optional Equipment

= Standard = Optional

Hydra-Sports 3400 CC (2011-) Warranty

Hydra-Sports 3400 CC (2011-) Warranty Information

Warranties change from time to time. While BoatTEST.com has tried to ensure the most up-to-date warranty offered by each builder, it does not guarantee the accuracies of the information presented below. Please check with the boat builder or your local dealer before you buy any boat.